Construction has commenced on the first phase of Kenya Medical Training College in Othaya, Nyeri County, following the laying of the foundation stone by Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi.
The training centre estimated to cost Sh 35m will be located at Kiri-ini area in Othaya town. Phase one works will involve construction of a tuition block with six classrooms costing and an administration block.
The institution is being developed through cooperation between the national government and the Othaya NG-CDF. Mwangangi said money will be committed yearly to expand the institution. Chairman of the KMTC board Phillip Kaloki said the campus will be constructed in seven months and students will be admitted immediately.
Improve local economy
Upon completion, the college will enroll about 1,000 students in nursing, clinical medicine, orthopaedics and pharmacy courses. Other courses will be added later. Othaya MP Gichuki Mugambi said the institution will greatly improve the local economy and called on residents and investors to set up hostels for the students.
Some students are housed at Decece where only health records courses have been offered since 2016. The MP also explained that the area received a license for the college in President Mwai Kibaki’s time but was unable to set up the training college.
“We had no Level 6 hospital where students can do their practicals, so we started with a health records course only. We had no classrooms and students had to occupy Decece buildings,” said Mp Gichuki.
Kenyatta National Hospital’s Othaya annex will help in offering practical courses. Moreover, the MP said the Othaya NG-CDF has already bought a Sh7 m college bus. KMT has promised to provide another bus and pick-up truck to be used as an official vehicle by the principal.
